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EPSRC funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational and Mathematical Neuroscience

by James Rankin

*Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational and Mathematical Neuroscience* Location: College of Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences at the University of Exeter (Streatham Campus) Job reference: P62935 Application closing date: *29/07/2018* Interview date: *10/08/2018* Salary From £34,520 on Grade F, dependent on knowledge, skills and experience This new full-time post is available from *1st October 2018* on a fixed term contract basis for *2 years*. The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in the project Neural oscillator network modelling of auditory stream segregation. This EPSRC funded post is available from 01/10/2018 for 2 years. The successful candidate will join the Systems Biomedicine and Dynamical Systems research groups housed in the recently launched GBP 50m Living Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. These groups house over 50 researchers applying mathematical and computation approaches to study problems in neuroscience, biology and healthcare. The project will benefit from input from colleagues with expertise in neural networks, bifurcation theory, coupled oscillators and numerical methods. The Post: The project will involve developing mathematical and computational models to deepen our understanding of auditory stream segregation. This is a fundamental process in the auditory system that allows us to separate out and focus on distinct sound streams (e.g. voices) in a dynamic noisy environment. This process involves competition in order to resolve different interpretations of a given environment (e.g. different groupings of objects). Many aspects of this process are still not well understood, such as where in the brain segregation of streams is achieved, how the streams are encoded and the driving neural mechanisms. This project will develop a biologically motivated model inspired by a broad cross section of modelling and experimental literature (from anatomical, neurophysiological, brain imaging and behavioural experiments). The models developed will be based on networks of coupled neural oscillators. Neural oscillations are understood to be vital for the encoding of temporal information in auditory streaming. Dynamical systems theory including bifurcation analysis and numerical methods will provide the necessary tools to understand the dynamics of the models developed. About you: - Candidates with quantitative backgrounds (Mathematics, Physics, Engineering) and from Neuroscience programmes with a strong computational component are encouraged to apply. - Applicants will possess a PhD or equivalent in one of these areas or a related field. T - You will also be able to work collaboratively and supervise the work of others. - Programming experience in a high-level language (e.g. Matlab, Python, C/C++) is a must and knowledge of dynamical systems theory is a plus. - Experience working on interdisciplinary projects involving the application of mathematical and computational tools to problems in Biology or Neuroscience will be viewed favourably. The University offers some fantastic benefits including 41 days leave per year, options for flexible working, numerous discounts at leading retailers, onsite gym, cycle to work scheme, sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy; and a stunning campus environment in the heart of Exeter. If you are not currently in Exeter please have a look at our website for some further information on what a beautiful part of the country we are based in. *For further information, please contact Dr James Rankin, email j.a.rankin(a)exeter.ac.uk <j.a.rankin(a)exeter.ac.uk>* https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC1 07GF.open?VACANCY_ID=258266M3V7&WVID=3817591jNg http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/jar226 The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer. We are officially recognised as a Disability Confident employer and an Athena Swan accredited institution. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce.

July 4, 2018

Research Associate /Senior Research Associate positions

by Jeffrey Bowers

Research Associate /Senior Research Associate positions University of Bristol Salary: £32,548 to £41,212 per annum Deadline: 20th August 2018 We are seeking to appoint talented computational modelers to join an ERC-funded project entitled “Generalisation in Mind and Machine”. The project explores how well neural networks support human-like generalisation across a range of tasks. Two postdoctoral fellows and two PhD students are working on project, and we are looking to hire two more persons with PhDs (or potentially BSc) in computer science or cognitive psychology (or a related field) with experience working with neural networks. In contrast with the large community of researchers focused on improving the performance of deep networks for applied reasons, the goal of this project is to explore what neural networks tell us about how the brain works. More specifically, the team will be working on questions of generalisation in the domains of object identification, word identification, short-term memory, and games, amongst other areas. A core issue is whether networks need to be include symbolic computations to succeed on some forms of generalisation. For overview of some of the issues we are exploring in the project see: Bowers, J. S. (2017). Parallel Distributed Processing Theory in the Age of Deep Networks. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12, 950-961. For more details regarding the project see our ERC website: http://mindandmachine.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/ This post is available from Oct 1st 2018 (but flexible about start date) and currently has funding secured until Oct 1st 2021. To apply go to: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BKR397/erc-research-associate-senior-research-as… If you have any questions, please get in touch with Jeff Bowers at: j.bowers(a)bristol.ac.uk<mailto:j.bowers@bristol.ac.uk> Jeff Bowers

July 4, 2018

Post-doc in Neurophysiology of Attention at UCLA

by Bisley, James

Apologies for cross-posting We invite applications for a fully funded post-doc position studying the neurophysiology of attention. The work will include recording from &/or the reversible inactivation of cortical areas MT, LIP and FEF while animals perform a visual search task utilizing moving dot patterns. For more information about the sort of work done in the lab, check out our publications at http://www.bri.ucla.edu/people/james-w-bisley-phd. Applicants should have a strong background in systems neurophysiology, behavioral training or computational neuroscience and be comfortable working independently on all aspects of the project. Previous experience with NHP recording and data analysis is desirable. Candidates should hold a PhD in neuroscience, psychology or a related discipline. The position is initially for 12 months with the possibility of renewal. Compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience. Candidates should send a CV, a brief statement of research experience and interests, expected date of availability, and the contact information for two references to James Bisley (jbisley(a)mednet.ucla.edu<mailto:jbisley@mednet.ucla.edu>). Cheers, James ________________________________ UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this message from your computer.

July 3, 2018

Second Call for the Athenea3i postdoc program at the University of Granada

by jtorres

Dear all Please find attached below information concerning the second call for Athenea3i postdoc positions program at the University of Granada (Spain)(similar to Marie Curie postdoc positions). Our group (Granada Computational Neurophysics Lab) is accepting suitable candidates for such positions to be supervised by our Lab members (see our Lab web page http://ergodic.ugr.es/neurofisica/neurofisica.html for further information concerning our group). With my best wishes Joaquin J. Torres Professor of Condensed Matter Physics Granada Computational Neurophysics Lab University of Granada www.ugr.es/~jtorres ============= Dear researcher, The University of Granada (UGR) announces the opening of 10 vacancies for postdoctoral studies. These vacancies are designed for excellent researchers who have experience in the fields of innovation and knowledge transfer. These postdoctoral contracts will last for 3 years with a maximum gross salary of €4,000 per month and €1,500 in supplements depending on different factors such as the researcher's family situation, or aspects derived from the execution of the projects (required training, planned visits, etc.). Selected researchers will join multidisciplinary teams to execute research, innovation and development projects conducted at the UGR and will therefore need a supervisor from this institution. Moreover, researchers will be able to spend time in a different academic institution for an uninterrupted period of between 3 and 9 months, to be scheduled between the 10th and the 18th months of the research project. Researchers may spend this time in either the academic or the business sector. In addition, they may also spend a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months during the last 18 months of the research project in another non-academic institution. Thematic fields: · Environmental Sciences and Chemistry (ENV-CHE) · Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities (ECO-SOC) · Information Science and Engineering (ENG) · Life Sciences (LIFE) · Physics and Mathematics (PHY-MAT) The application period lasts from 4 September to 28 September 2018. The incorporation into the University of Granada is expected to take place between July – September 2019. For more information concerning the call and available vacancies (requirements, activity to be carried out and remuneration), please refer to the webpage: https://athenea3i.ugr.es/ If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us: athenea3i(a)ugr.es Yours faithfully, International Research Projects Office (OFPI) - Promotion & Advisory Unit Tel. (+34) 958 242 701 Vice-Rectorate for Research and Knowledge Transfer University of Granada

July 3, 2018

project co-founder

by aris giachnis

Hi all, I am a software developer/tech founder so I am a bit out of my water here but I am looking for a partner with neuroscience background after my previous one left the project for academia. Although I cannot share all details about it (but can do upon private request/contact) I can say it is very interesting and involves using neuroscience for security purposes. The technical aspects involve measuring evoked potentials (p300) and developing some algorithms that provide high confidence intervals and later building a hardware prototype. We can be using devices such as OpenBCI for prototyping. There needs to be research on beta testers so it's mainly an RnD project for at least one year. Anyone that is interested in cooperating either as a side project or full time (but without compensation currently until we get funding but getting a piece.of the project is welcome to message me for more information. I am based in Amsterdam but can travel too, face to face is always better. best regards, aris Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>

July 3, 2018

Bernstein Network Information Booth at FENS Forum 2018 in Berlin

by Kerstin Schwarzwaelder

Dear colleagues, The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience will have an exhibition booth (no. 36) at the upcoming FENS Forum<https://forum2018.fens.org/> in Berlin (July 7 - 11, 2018). The booth will present: * research in the Bernstein Network * open positions * study and training programs * SMART<http://www.smartstart-compneuro.de/>START training program in Computational Neuroscience<http://www.smartstart-compneuro.de/>, * infrastructural facilities: Bernstein Facility for Data Management (G-Node)<http://www.g-node.org/> and Bernstein Facility for High Performance Simulation and Data Analytics <http://www.fz-juelich.de/ias/jsc/EN/Expertise/SimLab/slns/_node.html> (Simulation Laboratory Neuroscience) <http://www.fz-juelich.de/ias/jsc/EN/Expertise/SimLab/slns/_node.html> * Data management service (GIN)<https://web.gin.g-node.org/> and Electrophysiology Analysis Toolkit (Elephant)<http://www.python-elephant.org/> During the following times, G-Node will give demo presentations of their data management service (GIN)<http://www.g-node.org/gin> for storing, sharing, and publishing research data: Sunday, July 8, 14:00-16:00 Monday, July 9, 11:00-13:00 Tuesday, July 10, 14:00-16:00 Wednesday, July 11, 11:00-13:00 Also, there will be a demonstration on data analysis using the Electrophysiology Analysis Toolkit (Elephant)<http://www.python-elephant.org>: Sunday, July, 8, 11:00-13:00 Monday, July 9, 14:00-16:00 Tuesday, July, 10, 11:00-13:00 We are looking forward to welcoming you at our booth no. 36! Best regards, Kerstin Schwarzwälder -- Dr. Kerstin Schwarzwälder Scientific Coordination / Management Officer Please note: Our email addresses have changed. Please use k.schwarzwaelder(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:k.schwarzwaelder@fz-juelich.de> Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience | Bernstein Coordination Site (BCOS) Branch Office of the Forschungszentrum Jülich at the University of Freiburg Hansastr. 9A | 79104 Freiburg, Germany phone: (+49) 0761 203 9589 mail: k.schwarzwaelder(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:k.schwarzwaelder@fz-juelich.de> web: www.nncn.de<http://www.nncn.de> Twitter: NNCN_Germany<https://twitter.com/NNCN_Germany> YouTube: Bernstein TV<https://www.youtube.com/user/BernsteinNetwork> Facebook: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.facebook.com/BernsteinNetwork/> LinkedIn: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 3, 2018

[Jobs] Researcher at Vicarious

by Swaroop Guntupalli

Vicarious is a start-up building artificial intelligence based on insights from cognitive science and neuroscience. See a recent profile in science magazine: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/05/how-researchers-are-teaching-ai-lear… See our publications for a sample of our research: https://www.vicarious.com/research/ We are funded for the long term to work on the most important problems in the field of Artificial Intelligence. We have a few open positions for researchers with the following qualifications: - PhD in CS/EE/Neuroscience/Physics or related disciplines - Good understanding of probabilistic graphical models, deep learning and other machine learning algorithms - Excellent programming skills - Experience with computer vision algorithms - Computational neuroscience experience and/or interest in the workings of the neocortex Please visit https://www.vicarious.com/careers/ for more details. Feel free to email me if you are interested and would like to know more. Thanks, Swaroop Guntupalli Researcher at Vicarious swaroop(a)vicarious.com

July 1, 2018

Postdoc position in calcium imaging of Fragile X zebrafish

by Geoffrey Goodhill

Geoff Goodhill's lab at the University of Queensland is looking for an experimental postdoc to analyse a zebrafish model of Fragile X syndrome using behavioural and calcium imaging approaches. The salary range is AU$81k-87k (US$60-64k). We are particular interested in how neural coding emerges over development in these fish. The project will involve both high-speed video recording of zebrafish larvae behaviour, and large scale 2-photon recording of GCaMP6s neural activity using confocal and light-sheet microscopy. The successful candidate will work closely with an interdisciplinary team with a strong computational focus. A new review paper discussing some of the relevant background is Avitan L & Goodhill GJ (2018). Code Under Construction: Neural Coding Over Development Trends in Neurosciences, online June 20th https://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/abstract/S0166-2236(18)30158-9 The University of Queensland (UQ) is ranked in the top 3 universities in Australia and the top 100 in the world. The Goodhill lab is part of the Queensland Brain Institute at UQ, a leading neuroscience institute consisting of over 40 labs, including ~100 PhD students and ~100 postdocs. For more details and to apply please see the following link: http://jobs.uq.edu.au/caw/en/job/504708/postdoctoral-research-fellow The closing date is July 25th AEST. Informal enquiries are also welcome. Professor Geoffrey J Goodhill Queensland Brain Institute and School of Mathematics & Physics University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Email: g.goodhill(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:g.goodhill@uq.edu.au> http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/professor-geoffrey-goodhill

June 30, 2018

PhD and post-doctoral positions in Electrophysiology / Brain-machine interface at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada

by Jean Rouat

Dear list, We have PhD and one post-doctoral positions in our research group. Please communicate with my colleague Eric Plourde for further details. 1) PhD positions in Electrophysiology / Brain-machine interface at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada (co-supervision at the University of Minnesota, USA) for IC implants Auditory implants aim at restoring audition by stimulating a specific structure of the auditory system with an electrode array. The most successful auditory implant, the cochlear implant that stimulates the spiral ganglions in the cochlea, has allowed more than 325 000 people worldwide to regain audition. However, cochlear implants are not appropriate for patients that have a disfunctionnal auditory nerve or for which the cochlea cannot be implanted. Alternative implants have therefore been developed such as the auditory midbrain implant (AMI) that stimulates a structure named the inferior colliculus (IC). One aspect that limits the development of the AMI is the lack of knowledge regarding the optimal approach to stimulate the IC. The proposed project aims at gaining more insight into the optimal design of stimulation patterns for the IC. Objectives: Design optimal inferior colliculus stimulation patterns using adaptive filters specifically adapted for neural signals: the neural activity will be recorded in the auditory cortex and optimal stimulation in the inferior colliculus will be evaluated using a closed-loop approach. A financial support will be provided. Requirements: - Excellent academic record. - Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, biophysics or other related field with a strong background in mathematics and signal processing. - Willing to conduct experiments in electrophysiology to record the neural activity of the auditory system. No prior knowledge in electrophysiology is required. - Excellent ability to communicate in English, knowledge of French is considered an advantage. Interested candidates should send their CV, academic transcripts and relevant publications as well as the names of 2 references to Prof. Eric Plourde. Contact: Eric Plourde, Eng., Ph.D., Université de Sherbrooke (eric.plourde(a)usherbrooke.ca) 2) Postdoctoral position in statistical signal processing / Brain-machine interface at the Université de Sherbrooke A retinal prosthesis aims at giving back vision to blind people. To do so, an external camera captures visual scenes and sends this information to an electrode array, which is positioned in the eye, in order to stimulate directly the retina. The electric pulses from the electrodes are sent to the brain along the optic nerve and interpreted as sight. The objective of this study is to decode a perceived image using Bayesian decoding approaches. Many types of patterns can be used to stimulate the different electrodes comprising the array and not all are efficient. The research proposal aims at simulating a perceived image using an adapted stimulation approach and Bayesian decoding and comparing it with an image obtained with traditional stimulation approaches. The contract is for a 6-months period. Requirements: - Ph.D. degree in statistical signal processing, biomedical engineering, bio-informatics or other related field - Proven publication record - Excellent ability to communicate in English. Interested candidates should send their CV, academic transcripts and relevant publications as well as the names of 2 references to Prof. Eric Plourde. Contact: Eric Plourde, Eng., Ph.D., Université de Sherbrooke (eric.plourde(a)usherbrooke.ca) ==================================================== The Université de Sherbrooke is a French-speaking institution located in the province of Quebec, Canada, and the heart of an international research pole. It is host to more than 40 000 students from over 120 different countries worldwide. (Source: UdeS) ==================================================== Jean Rouat, Prof., coord. IGLU, http://iglu-chistera.github.io Université de Sherbrooke Université de Montréal Member of the centre for Interdisciplinary research Professeur titulaire, Professeur associé in Music Media and Technology NECOTIS: Computational Neurosciences Vision, neuroscience Lab McGill Schulich School of Music and Intelligent Signal Processing FAS- Sciences biologiques 527 Sherbrooke St. West Faculté de génie, GEGI, C1-3108 90 avenue Vincent-d’Indy Montreal, Qc, 2500 boul. de l'université Montréal, Qc, Canada, H3A 1E3 Sherbrooke, Québec Canada, H3C 3J7 Canada, J1K 2R1 Tél.: +1(819)-821-8000 ext. 63864 http://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/rouat http://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/necotis http://www.usherbrooke.ca/gelecinfo/fr/pers/profs/rouj-fr/ Jean.Rouat(a)umontreal.ca ou Jean.Rouat(a)usherbrooke.ca Publications: https://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/rouat/publications/publiDeJRouat.html

June 29, 2018

PhD opening in Machine learning for Neural Encoding of Naturalistic Auditory Scenes

by Nicolas Farrugia

Dear list, We invite applications for a fully-funded PhD between Université de Montréal, computer science department, and IMT Atlantique, Brest, France. The goal is to model the perception of complex natural auditory stimuli using signals on dynamic brain graphs, and deep learning. Details are here : https://t.co/963vd9Pizg and below Deadline for application is July 15th. The project aims to model natural auditory perception using artificial neural networks and graph signal processing, applied to human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalograph (EEG) data. Recent advances in artificial intelligence are largely due to the outstanding performance obtained by deep neural networks on the classification of composite natural stimuli. Deep learning however still faces important challenges with natural auditory perception [1], in particular in complex, noisy scenes involving several simultaneous sources. This thesis will use human neuroimaging data to improve the ability of artificial networks to classify natural auditory stimuli. Recent works have demonstrated the feasibility of building artificial models to link computational musical features with brain activity [2]. Such models perform as well as human listeners on both music, and simple speech discrimination tasks [3]. The internal layers of the deep networks have also been used to predict brain activity related to natural sounds, by modeling each individual voxel of fMRI activity using combinations of feature maps [3]. We propose to investigate extensions of the current approaches to consider graph convolutional networks [4], signal processing on graphs [5], and to model temporal signals on dynamic graphs [6]. We will build a series of artificial models, using extensive recordings of EEG/fMRI brain activity acquired from participants performing auditory tasks of increasing complexity. This PhD project is a collaboration between the laboratories of Dr. Nicolas Farrugia and Dr Vincent Gripon (Brain Inspired Artificial Intelligence Project, at IMT Atlantique, Brest, France), and the lab of Dr. Pierre Bellec (NeuroMod - Courtois Project on Neuronal Modelling - CRIUGM, Department of Computer Science and Operational Research, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada). The candidate will be expected to share their time between Montreal and Brest. IMT Atlantique is a public technological university focusing on the training of engineers at the MSc. level and junior researchers at the PhD level. Université de Montréal is a world-renowned institution, training elite scientist, and is currently one of the main hubs for artificial intelligence and neuroinformatics research in North America.

June 29, 2018